UN Marks 25 Years of Durban Declaration as Guterres Demands Stronger Global Action Against Racism

The United Nations General Assembly convened a high-level meeting in New York on Wednesday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, a landmark global framework against racism and racial discrimination. UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the assembly, calling for stronger international efforts to eliminate racism in all its forms.

The Durban Declaration, adopted in 2001 at the World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa, remains a cornerstone of global anti-racism efforts. In his remarks, Guterres warned that despite progress, racism and xenophobia continue to rise, exacerbated by economic crises, conflicts, and digital misinformation. He urged member states to implement concrete measures, including national action plans and reparative justice initiatives.

The anniversary meeting underscored divisions among member states over the declaration's legacy, with some countries expressing reservations about its provisions. Civil society groups welcomed the renewed focus but stressed the need for tangible action beyond symbolic gestures. The UN has pledged to intensify its campaign against racial discrimination, with upcoming reviews of progress at the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly.